16 reader comments:

While I understand the frustrations of those who see the generosity of others abused, which does happen, I also see those who are truly in need. My desire to give to those in need and my actions in doing so are not diminished by those who take advantage of my generosity. When some of the parents make selfish choices by putting the needs of themselves before their children, how is that the child’s fault? How does depriving children in need of my generosity teach the parents any sort of lesson, or make them more apt to make different choices? Also, what about those parents who do everything they can to provide for their children but still come up short? There will always be those who take advantage of the generosity of others, just as there will always be those who have a hard heart. Our responsibility is to follow the calling of our hearts and to be generous regardless of whether or not they are truly deserving of our gifts.

I thought like you once, then I discovered that inadequately governed programs and short sighted generosity are causing more harm than good. I realized that accountability (and responsibility) reaches into the second, third, and fourth order effects for causing child poverty to increase and our children to turn from God. The child poverty and neglect of today continues to grow despite very generous social safety net programs and low unemployment. We are no longer in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s or even 90’s when you can say that “some” is not “most” and so the programs should continue as is. The bad apples are now overwhelmingly “most” not “some”. It’s well past time to rework how best to address these issues. More of the same is obviously not the answer. The human heart is not born good.

What about the teachers that have to pay for these items on a ridiculously low income and get only a $250 tax break? They ask the district for supplies only to get shot down and spend from their own pockets. I’ve seen it far too many times that they buy items on this list only for the kids to intentionally break or destroy them. I’m a very charitable person and contributed to this project, but it’s sad how much this gets abused and kids see nothing wrong with it.

There are so many disadvantaged families in Washington County that work multiple jobs to survive. After bills have been paid, there is barely enough for food or clothing, let alone supplies. Those of us that are fortunate enough to provide assistance do so with open hearts full of compassion. It is so sad to see others make comments demeaning others when you do not know there story. Have grace in your heart and unconditional love for others.

As a teacher at the elementary level, I have a story for you. I watch these kids on free lunch who take the free school supplies get out of nice cars with fancy rims everyday. I watch them throw their free lunches away and go spend cash money at the snack bar to buy ice cream, chips, and other junk foods. Last year one of these same students who got all the free stuff prided himself on making fun of my shoes because they were not a brand he recognized unlike his very expensive name brand shoes. He was the child of a single mom who does not work but seemed to always have expensive looking hair and nails but would dodge my calls when we tried to schedule a parent teacher conference. The only time we ever heard from her was when she felt “her baby” was not getting something she felt he deserved, but the idea of taking responsibility for his horrible behavior never seemed to be a concern for her. Do I have a heart for those in need, yes I do, do I have a heart for those who abuse the system because they can and no one stops them, I do not!.

Sad but true. The worst kids are the ones whose parents think their kid can do no wrong.
When buying school supplies is someone else’s problem, it supports the thinking of parents today that school isn’t important, and the kids take that in.
If we pay for their food, etc… and then they use their cash for cigarettes/beer/drugs, then we are really paying for those things because they would have had to spend their cash on food and school supplies instead if they had to.
So many bad choices.

What in the heck??? Where are the parents funds and why don’t they use their snap or food stamps program money? This is just ridiculous to ask for these thousands of items for other kids. Who’s parents drive nicer cars, eat a whole grocery basket or two full of good groceries plus brand new nike shoes or Labron James, Seth Curry, Kevin Durrant and on and on! Please help those who really need help and drug test the other parents who are abusing the free money program and oh, free housing! I would love a house with cold a/c clean water a refrigerator full of groceries and still money for my needs and then expect the community to buy my other stuff that I can get another handout with!!! Just Ridiculous, Just Plain Ridiculous!

First of all, you can’t use SNAP or food stamps for things that aren’t food. Secondly, you have to be one hard hearted person to be against helping underprivileged kids go to school and not feel less than their peers because they can’t afford school supplies. I’m fortunate that I could pay for my son’s and let me tell you, they’re not cheap. Brenham ISD’s student population has over 55% of the kids coming from economically disadvantaged homes. This is a commendable effort and they should be applauded. Perhaps some words from the scripture could shed some light on this.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

Even though you cannot use the Lone Star card or SNAP for school supplies. the programs should help a family budget to allow money for school supplies. Free lunches, breakfasts, and in some cases free on Saturday & during summer vacation as well and in some cases free take home after school bags are far too common, going to homes with the Lone Star card, WICK, SNAP & all other sort of taxpayer funded giveaways & charity programs. Why a household gets WICK & Lone Star benefits w/o any reduction when the kids are fed at taxpayer expense via school programs is beyond me. Of course this is a donation, rather than a tax paid program, but it enforces the idea that ‘someone owes me’. The folks of the Great Depression had it far worse & ended up quite successful w/o anything more than a barebones soup line, if that. Too many folks want to treat the symptoms, not the problems, (1) Too many kids by those who cannot afford them, (2) No show fathers (3) Drugs, (4) Alcohol, tobacco, gambling use to excess by folks who cannot afford their use. And Welfare addiction!
Look around at some of the vehicles driven by that person paying for groceries using WICK & the Lone Star Card. You might be shocked.

I work part time retail to pay for my own things. I buy my clothes, lunches, gas, insurance, and provide my own spending money, and save as much as I can for future college (Blinn). The welfare abuse that I observe at work and school is off the charts. I would say more; but, I’m on my way to work.

I 100% agree with you. Every where you turn there is some one with a hand open wanting something. Whats wrong with these PARENTS of these children getting an extra job, or for some a first job. I work over 70 hours a week away from my family so i can pay my bills and provide all the other stuff we need. We are just enabling society by giving all these hand outs. They say charity starts at home. Well it does. AND AT HOME IS WHERE MINE STAYS!!!